“You have to remember, I think, that the context we were first talking about the LG, in Albany, was a practical, sort of political vis-à-vis the Senate situation, et cetera,” Cuomo continued. “The way I read the judges’ questions, they were on the succession issue and how do you ensure that the people elected their leadership when it comes to vacancies.”

“I gave my opinion on it. It is in the courts, it is being litigated in the courts, the courts will make the decision. You don’t need me to bring it to the courts,” Cuomo replied. “When there’s a difference between the governor, the executive and the legislative branch, I stay out of it.”

“The way I heard it what the governor was doing was totally appropriate. He was at a party, he was celebrating somebody’s birthday. He’s come to birthday celebrations for me. So from the facts that I heard, I thought it was totally appropriate,” Cuomo said.